Possible to start up for under 2k?

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LivBlue

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Location
Dallas, TX
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I am having a hard time finding packages of housing and cameras, most sights list them separate which is a little confusing. I'm a new diver who'd like to capture my friends and my dives and be able to re-enjoy our dives when we get home. I've used and underwater camera with a strobe before but it was a smaller set up so smaller would helpful. I think my dives would be more than 20-40ft normally. I'm not wanting to go the cheapest route but a solid route that I can use for a few years and see how video taking works out.

You guys have any ideas?
 
ronscuba-

I used my gopro in jamaica and although i really loved it. BUT...how did you get color like that? did you use a light? Or filter or what?

For the price, its a great way to start underwater. And it can be used for other stuff too!

Oh but make sure you get the flat lens from somone like mako or eye of mine. You should also check out the lcd back panel. that would make it a lot easier.
 
Yes, used the mako flat lens and a filter.

Colors look good as long as there is decent daylight. My big problem is holding this tiny thing still. Not too hard for wide angle, but closeups are tough to hold still.

[vimeo]22812197[/vimeo]
 
I bought a Lee filter sheet and cut a roundish circle to fit inside the housing port. There is another person on the board that used a Magic Filter and was happy with the results.
 
I don't know of anyone who's currently selling packages. B&H lists a few but nothing great. Ocean Images bundles their housing with either a Sony CX-110($1450) or CX-150($1550) http://www.oceanimagesinc.com/products_list.htm.

Many of the Ikelite housings are either $800 or $1300 range so with the appropriate Sony/Canon camera should be less than $2K. At $800 you might also be able to get a video light and stay just under $2k inc. camera.

reposting from a post I made a few days ago on Wetpixel - similar question:

A couple of other options:

Ikelite also sells a similar $260 housing for the Flip Mino, Kodak, Panasonic and Sanyo variations of the vertical camcorder. Ikelite Video Index Cisco just announced they're discontinuing production of the entire Flip line so those may be really cheap soon.

For under $1000 - a Canon camcorder - models: VIXIA HF M32, VIXIA HF M31, VIXIA HF M30 and VIXIA HF M300 - in their WP-V2 housing. Street price on the housing is under $400. It's a limited function housing but all the basics are there. My buddy shoots an MF200/WP-V1 and gets good results. Even though it has an underwater mode, he's buying a red filter this year. The housing has a standard sized fitting on the port so it or wet lenses are options.

The cost-reduced (flat port only and no flip filter) Amphibico Turtle starts at around $1200. Add one of the supported Sony cameras and you should be in the $1600-1700 ballpark. http://www.amphibico.com/rec/turtle-underw...eo-housing.html It has many of the features - back LCD monitor, electronic controls, 330' depth rating - of their better EVO model. When paired with some (all?) of the better Sony models, the Turtle does Manual White Balance - you want this if possible.

Competition for the Turtle is probably the TopDawg at $1500 - Top Dawg Underwater Video Housing, Top Dawg Mini Housing, Top Dawg II Housing But with a shallower depth rating, no MWB, controls on the housing body - IMO you get more from Amphibico - esp. if you add the flip-down red filter and hydrophone options - I believe it's still cheaper also.
 
Could you link me up to the lens upgrades? I red through some info on the cam. Looks like this could be an option once I figure out getting the round lens blur issue under control. Some are talking about them coming out with a diver version. I will try calling and asking about that tomorrow. I like that it's small enough to just lanyard to wrist or store in BCD pocket. Thanks for the help guys, additional help welcome.
 
Buy the GoPro from Mako. The flat lens port comes with it for free. Arkman has the link to Mako in his post.
 
Gopro for the price is a great buy for sure, flat lens is a must. Here a few of mine with Eyeofmine housing my next step is to find some good video lights which are needed no matter what camera you buy.

[youtubehq]gorv4r9mGxA[/youtubehq]

[youtubehq]6zRvbJ7pGrU[/youtubehq]

[youtubehq]T3jZFzpG3ts[/youtubehq]

[youtubehq]bKYDwmyfJMI[/youtubehq]

[youtubehq]g-d4im94WGI[/youtubehq]
 

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